National Republican., 1887-11-05

/Na 4
forever associated in my mind with the
drollest mischief and the most original Gus
sedrc css that ever mapnctized school room
or enlivened q field of sport. Frank was
always as bright as a new dollar, and have
watched, with the keenest interest, the
progress of one who shared with me the
same ruler (as long as 1t lasted), and who
now balances himself, very successfully,
well up on the ladder OF fame. / am told
that Col. Ingersoll says he considers Frank
''the funniest man OF our age" can re-
member when he was the funniest boy Of
his age, and guess the great champion OF
polite heathenism is right "Old SPORT"
Wasn't that creationp The supreme
originality Of that farcical conception has,
in my opinion, never been equaled. This
season we are not going to see any sold
Sport" and the hand that shook the hand
OF Sullivan will 90 unshaken. Yet we will
understand one another" and the prince
Of unique drollery comes to us
fitted to q new suit OF
absurdity. You can depend upon Frank
Daniels scorning the fruit Of the chestnut
tree; nor will any trite saying OF his degen,
crate into monotone. He is original. and
those who build for him must hew fresh
timber, and fashion 1t with dexterous
hand. His efficient herald, Mr.. Frank
Murray, assures me It took four keen and
clever heads to design the rig in which
Daniels does the grand salaam before the
court of public opinion for 1878. The
character of "Littie Puck" will be a revela-
tion to you. have listened to the argument
Of the play, and, to quote from my whisky
drinking friend In literature 70. Goldsmith),
was parnlyzed. / never heard Of any
thing so ridiculously original In the whole
course of my born days-prior to this
period the tablets OF my memory are too in-
distinct to decipher. And now am going
Daniels Is such a wonderful success In
other cities, and why he is sure to do
tremendous business here.
In the first place, "Little Puck" Is q new
piece-absolutely The original dramatic COM
position Of this season. 1t has not the loan
of solitary idea, and you couldn't imagine
its plot II you were as fertile In imagery as a
first class advertising agent. 1t is as
modern as those "Stranglers Of Paris''-the
French standing collars. 1t is as fresh as
newly appointed patrolman, and 1t Is as
sparkling as my $500 scarf pin.
in the second place, Frank Daniels Is an
actor who can discern between the ridicu-
lous and the idiotic. He is deep and
careful student, and to this exacting and
complex role he has impaired the pro-
nounced outlines of his creative originality.
When you see "Little Puckn you will see
Characterization which has required
thought, which speaks for itself, and eA-
pense, OF which nothing is said.
In the third place Frank has capable
and successful manager In VIM. Il. Hayden.
There are lots Of people who think theaters
are run and companies managed as tn ~
sort o. suppose the world moves on-by
chance. Now, don't abscond with such an
idea. At the helm OF every great amuse-
ment enterprise ia master hand who turns
his weather beaten face squarely at Ill for
tune and skillfully pilots the course, Oft
times over shoals and through uneven
channels-one who is not over elated at a
little sunshine, nor dsmoyed at sudden
sQuall; and, above all, one who is able to
carry sufficient insurance. That's the kind
Of an all.round fortune sailor w. X. Hay
den is.
Now, am not an actor and never run a
show; but have been an invited guest on
many a lighter that. has gone to the rescue
of endangered craft carrying the colors OF
the sock and buskin. And when we
reached them 1t was only to find a crew OF
land lubbers, without pilot, captain, chart,
or compass.
Writers on navigation may copy the
above without creditlng.]
You'll go to see "Little Puck" and I'll go
to see Frank Daniels. And when the cur
tain rises upon this marvel OF ingenious
dramatic construction l shall indulge In q
little retrospective anticipation. My mind
will wander back to the old, familiar school
room, with Frank sitting In the sunlight by
the window, his mischievous eyes ablaze
with preconcerted pranks, and his sensitive
lips trembling with suppressed mirth. Then
Iwill recall our precious boyhood haunts
and the many irate victims of our senseless
deviltry. And then will come recollections
Of the days, not long ago, when thousands
screamed and applauded the irresistible
hrmor and quaint drollery Of "Old Sport"
shall look for that matcbless walk, that
ind.scribable attitude, that inimitable ma
nipulation Of the cigar, the poised hat, the
voice. All these I'll look for and wish for,
becausethey belong to an individuality with
which tina stage has been blessed. Then
there will be an entrance-a characteristic
one-and Daniels will have made another
impression; one, ] predict, none the less
lasting.
The company supporting Mr.. Daniels in.
Cludes Bob Frazer, the famous pantomimist,
and Miss Bessie Samson, whose assistance
is highly valued by the comedian, with
whom she co-opeptes with tireless energy
to sustain the strength Of an arduous role
Having thus briefly, and In my limo
cent, kittenish way told you something OF
the what.is.to-be at Albaugh's next week,
IN see II | can prevail on my, ur-
Duhc hthut AihiI HIpht w uuob ahu it'
serve front seat, where | can have full
scope to indulge In something am seldom
given to-hearty laughter.
Brother, go thou and do likewise; and
maybe, sister knows how to laugh, too.
NOW BRANCH OFF
on to something a little more local. As
was passing up Seventh street Yesterday
saw short coat hanging In front OF No
9lS, and 1t was marked Sc 10. 1t was
lady's coat, aud became quite an exper
IN ladies' wraps from having been door
opener In dry goods aud cloak emporium
In my younger days. 1 could see al ieas
50 worth OF real value in the garment, and
went in to see the ''whyforeness" OF sucl
figures. l was politely received, asked /,
take a seat Everybody seems to think I'm
tired), and then informed that was In tn
manufactory of those $212 Jackets, ant
that they were turned out at 10 per cent
profit. That explained IL. knew no ordl
nary retailer could handle such a short Goa
as that at $2,l2 and make any money; bu
i can understand that a manufacturer can
cave his customers-that is, when he puts
himself in direct communication with th,
people-from 25 to 85 per cent. There ar,
not many OF these manufacturing dealers
In Washington. This one, at No. 0ls Sew
enth street, certainly ought to build up
big retail trade, for 1 notice that he had
ladies, misses, and chidren's dresses and
underwear, boys waists, chlldren's aprons
&C., lust the artlcler mothers are buying
averv dav and IN which thav are constant i,